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SARNIA — Students and parents with the Lambton Kent District School Board can expect a smooth start to the school year.

Director of education Jim Costello said he anticipates it will be business as usual when classes are set to resume Sept. 4. He addressed trustees Tuesday night at the first school board meeting after a summer filled with talk of possible labour strife.

“We've had a number of conversations with teachers – all of them are saying they're eager to be back at work,” Costello said. “We're counting on the professionalism of our teachers and the excitement of our students to be back in classes.”

A Liberal bill that would impose a two-year wage freeze on teachers was introduced in Queen's Park Monday. The legislation would cut sick-day benefits and offer the government the power to ban lockouts and strikes.

Costello said the bill is expected to pass and the board will be implementing it.

But thousands of Ontario teachers rallied against the proposed bill on the front lawn of Queen's Park Tuesday.

About 130 elementary and secondary teachers with the Lambton Kent District School Board went by bus to the protest.

Ron Rivait, president of the Lambton Kent Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, said the turnout was impressive considering teachers are prepping for a new school year.

“It certainly brought all the education workers together to see that we're all fighting for the same cause,” he said.

Rivait said there is indication teachers' unions will take their fight to the Supreme Court. However, he said local teachers are busy prepping for the start of the school year.

“That's really the No. 1 focus of all teachers at this point,” he said. “The only one who's said it's not is the government.”

Trustee Jack Fletcher said he is glad Costello cleared the air about talk of possible labour strife.

“My experience is that teachers want to be here and they're willing and ready to work,” Fletcher said.

Classes are also expected to resume at the St. Clair Catholic District School Board and Lambton College Sept. 4.

However, college faculty members are expected to take a strike vote Sept. 10.